The word that the Dallas Opera has commissioned British composer Joby Talbot and American librettist Gene Scheer to tackle the world’s highest peak, metaphorically speaking, is eliciting a variety of reactions. “The Dallas Observer” writes that the still-to-be-created opera EVEREST, slated for production in February of 2015, is our “most adventurous commission to date.” Read Katie Womack’s report on the “effortlessly witty, charming, and cool” Mr. Talbot – right here.

While over at “Theater Jones,” music critic Gregory Sullivan Isaacs opened with a strong note of approval (or, I think it was approval), saying: “The Dallas Opera continues to astound.” Catch Gregory’s entire piece here.

There’s a lot of musical and theatrical terrain to cover between now and 2015 but I already have the feeling this project is in the best of hands.

UPDATE: Crewmantle at COMMANDOpera asks “How long will it run?”

Answer: For several performances, at the very least. What? That’s not when he meant? Read Crew’s comments here.